Dr Edward John Despott
Gastroenterology
GMC: 6095124
Dr Edward John Despott is a consultant gastroenterologist and interventional endoscopist based in London, practicing privately at The Wellington Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital. He is the clinical lead of endoscopy services at the Royal Free Hospital's Unit for Endoscopy, where he also proudly works for the NHS. Alongside endoscopy (keyhole surgery), his specialisms include double-balloon enteroscopy, colonoscopy and gastroscopy. Furthermore, he has expertise in capsule endoscopy and polyps.
Dr Despott has significantly contributed to the Royal Free Unit for Endoscopy's renowned reputation of being one of the only few centres in London and the UK to offer a small bowel endoscopy service that offers top specialist facilities and treatments.
Dr Despott´s expertise, which also lies in therapeutic colonoscopy, transnasal upper GI endoscopy, inflammatory bowel disease and its' related complications, is also reflected in his clinical academic work as Honorary Associate professor at University College London's Institute of Liver and Digestive Health. He leads his students in the essential areas of endoscopy service delivery, education and training.
Dr Despott is highly qualified, reflecting his impressive reputation as a top specialist. He graduated from the University of Malta in 1999, completed his general professional training there and then moved to the UK to pursue higher specialist training in gastroenterology and general (internal) medicine within the North East Thames rotation of the London Deanery School of Medicine. He also underwent advanced endoscopy training at the Wolfson Unit for Endoscopy at St Mark’s Hospital and Academic Institute and did formal research at Imperial College London, achieving a further doctorate in medical research -MD(Res), a PhD equivalent.
Dr Despott is an active member of groups including the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG), the European Society of Gastroinestinal Endoscopy (ESGE), where he is on the guidelines committee for small bowel endoscopy, and the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). He is the senior associate editor of VideoGIE, an official journal of ASGE. He has national and international experience in lecturing, training courses and holding masterclasses, performing live endoscopy demonstrations and travelling fellowships in Japan for the Japanese GI Endoscopy Society (JGES) and BSG.
Dr Despott's research has been widely published in various scientific peer-reviewed papers, book chapters and review articles. He regularly acts as a referee for widely respected journals. He is also a fellow of the European Board of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (FEBGH), the ASGE (FASGE) and the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP), London.
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The small bowel is an 8 m long, floppy tube, which makes managing problems challenging. However, new endoscopic techniques are changing this. Top gastroenterologist Dr Edward Despott, a specialist in double balloon enteroscopy, is here to explain:
Double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is an advanced endoscopic procedure which is becoming increasingly popular in the UK, with an extremely high success rate. In the first article of a two part series, revered consultant gastroenterologist Dr Edward John Despott explains how the procedure works and gives a brief insight into its history.
In the second article of a two-part series, distinguished consultant gastroenterologist Dr Edward John Despott discusses what a double balloon enteroscopy can detect in the bowel, and why someone may consider undergoing the procedure.
V. K.
12/05/2025
I was incredibly fortunate to have Dr. Despott operate on me. My case was extraordinary, requiring him to think creatively and use endoscopy in an innovative way. A top gastroenterologist in Athens later confirmed he is one of the few in the world capable of what he achieved.
P. A.
15/04/2025
From the moment I met Dr. Despott, he put me completely at ease. His calm and reassuring manner immediately dissolved my nerves. He explained that an endoscopy would be required and took the time to walk me through the entire procedure in a way that was clear and comforting.
P. A.
30/03/2025
Dr. Despott was attentive, knowledgeable, and caring from consultation to procedure. He reassured me throughout, making me feel comfortable, especially as a nervous patient. I highly recommend him to anyone needing a gastroenterologist. His expertise is unmatched!
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